Missourians over the age of 21 may manufacture up to 100 gallons per person each year of any alcoholic beverage for personal use, without further limitation, without taxation, and without any license. It should be noted, though, that for production of distilled alcohol (i.e. not beer or wine) for personal use, it probably still is necessary for the private citizen to obtain a permit from the Federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_and_Tobacco_Tax_and_Trade_Bureau) and meet other requirements under federal law (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_the_United_States).

Besides that, however, the only alcohol which is illegal for sale or possession in Missouri is that which has been manufactured without a license and/or that on which the required taxes have not been paid.

I think that one of the things we need to be thinking about is preparing visual documents that show other states doing what we want done. Attached is a PDF of a US map that we prepared for our case with the Florida Legislature to allow "on-premises" sales (i.e., sales at the site of the craft distillery). While we aren't seeking the ability to sell spirits produced by home/hobby distilling, we need to graphically show other states that allow home/hobby distilling. While Missouri may be the only one that we are aware of, there may be others.

One step at a time. At least one state (MO) apparently allows hobby distilling in the home, and I am sure that others will follow. Some states (if memory serves) do not have laws specifically for or against distilling in the home, as it is not a commercial operation and therefore not explicitly covered. That means that changing the federal law will open up legal hobby distilling to many people. At that point (or better yet- at the same time) people can go after changing the laws in individual states. We have had interest from our representatives here in TX, and with MO as a model I think that it will help pave the way.

The Hobby Distiller's Association is just getting off the ground (www.hobbydistillersassociation.org (http://www.hobbydistillersassociation.org)), and the first priority is to push for legalization of hobby distilling. We do not wish to open distilling up to moonshining operations that sell. In fact, those just hurt our cause, and will most likely be put on the ropes if hobby distilling is legalized (why buy the stuff when you can make it at home legally for less?). We are pressing for true hobby distilling- small amounts, in the home, for home consumption and just enjoyment of the process. The Hobby Distiller's Association has just hired a lobbyist, and is moving full steam ahead. Please get involved and support the association once the membership portion of the site is operational. Right now we have Brewhaus, Mile Hi Distilling, and Hillbilly Stills coming together to back this financially, but as you can imagine the cost is substantial. We need help, and just as importantly, we need supporters to sign up so that we can show Congress that this is not just a few people trying to make hooch, but a large group of people interested in the hobby, and wanting to be allowed to enjoy it legally.

It is not a stretch to expect the law to be changed. We have support expressed by several representatives in Congress. The lobbyist is a pro at getting that support turned into action. Now is the time. We will succeed!

Rick